Terps Head to #5 Ohio State for B1G/ACC Challenge

Maryland Athletics

12-3-2013

Maryland travels to Columbus, Ohio for its first road game of the season Wednesday at 7:00 pm as it takes on future Big Ten foe No. 5 Ohio State in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. It is the first meeting between the teams since 1985.The game will be aired live on ESPN.

• The Terps are tied for the second-most wins in Big Ten/ACC Challenge history since the tournament’s inception in 1999 (Duke-12, Maryland-10, Wake Forest-10, Clemson-9). Maryland also has a tournament-best road mark of 4-1 amongst teams that have played at least four games, defeating Northwestern in Evanston, Ill. last season.

• Winners of four games in a row, Maryland was highly efficient offensively in an 89-62 victory against Morgan State last Friday, shooting 33-of-53 (.623) from the field en route to victory. The team also dished a season-high 26 assists, including six from freshman Roddy Peters.

• Maryland was lights-out from beyond the arc against Morgan State, connecting on 13-of-20 (.650) shots from beyond the arc. It was the first time the Terrapins made 13 3-pointers since they shot 13-of-30 in an overtime victory against North Carolina on Feb. 21, 2009. Jake Layman led the way Friday, knocking down seven 3-pointers for a career-high 27 points.

• Michigan transfer Evan Smotrycz has played Ohio State more times (six) than Maryland in its entire history (five). Smotrycz’s Wolverines played the Buckeyes three times in both 2010-11 and 2011-12.

Last Time Out Maryland put on an incredible shooting display last Friday when it handily defeated Morgan State by its largest margin of the season, 89-62. After scoring a season-high 45 points in the first half, the Terps shot 67-percent in the second half to cap a strong offensive outing. The Terps posted 14 points in the first 3:51 of the game and never looked back as they shot 33-of-53 (.623) from the field, including 13-of-20 (.650) from beyond the arc.Jake Layman led the way in the outing, tallying a career-high 27 points on 7-of-10 shooting from 3-point range. In the second half, Layman scored 16 points in just 13 minutes of action. Meanwhile, Evan Smotrycz posted his second consecutive double-double with 19 points and a career-high 12 rebounds.

Scouting Ohio State Ohio State enters Friday’s contest as one of the nation’s hottest teams, beginning the season 6-0 and climbing into the top-5 in the national rankings. The Buckeyes have dominated opponents, winning by an average margin of 19.6 points. The Buckeyes are led by standout senior guard Aaron Craft, who earned 2013 First Team All-Big Ten and 2013 Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors. Craft ranks second in the Big Ten in steals (2.5/g) and fourth in assists (5.3). Lenzelle Smith, Jr. leads the Buckeyes with 11.6 ppg, in addition to 4.6 rpg. Ohio State has played suffocating defense thus far, holding opponents to just 53.3 ppg (2nd in the nation). OSU’s strong defense is coupled with its ability to avoid fouling opponents, ranking first in the Big Ten in fewest fouls (97).

Smotrycz Returns to Columbus In two years as a player at Michigan, Evan Smotrycz amassed more experience (six games) against Ohio State than Maryland has in its entire history (five games). In six games, including two contests in the Big Ten Tournament, Smotrycz averaged 5.8 points and 3.5 rebounds in 20.2 minutes of action. His best performance came on January 12, 2011, when he scored 14 points and added six rebounds in a 68-64 loss. Smotrycz has found early success in the Maryland system, notching back-to-back double-doubles in his last two performances. He is the first Terrapin to do so since Jordan Williams in 2011. After being named to the Paradise Jam All-Tournament Team last Monday, Smotrycz poured in 19 points and a career-high 12 rebounds against Morgan State.

Lights Out Layman Sophomore Jake Layman had his best game in a Maryland uniform against Morgan State last Friday, turning in career-high marks in points (27), field goals made (9) and 3-point field goals made (7). Layman shot 7-of-10 from beyond the arc and 9-of-12 overall in the victory. The Wrentham, Mass. native has been lethal from 3-point range this season, connecting on an ACC best 3.3/game (23rd nationally). His .511 percentage (23-45) from beyond the arc ranks third in the conference behind Joe Harris (UVA) and Ben Emelogu (VT).

Terps Support Toys for Tots The Terps have partnered with the UMCP Campus Police and Prince George’s County Police for the Toys for Tots drive. Donation bins will be located outside Gates A, B and Terrapin Trail Garage entrances for the Men’s Basketball game on December 14 vs. Florida Atlantic. Fans are encouraged to bring new unwrapped toys for boy or girls to the game.